SEND Services in Plymouth
Plymouth is a unitary authority in the South West with a significant SEND population, and like many areas across England, has seen rising numbers of children with Education, Health and Care Plans in recent years. The city faces particular challenges around school attendance and inclusion, with persistently absent pupils and those with EHCPs experiencing notably higher absence rates than the national picture. If you're navigating SEND support in Plymouth for the first time, Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS) offers free, impartial guidance to help you understand your options and rights, and the local Parent Carers Voice forum connects families who share similar experiences. This page brings together the key information about local provision, assessment processes, and support services to help you find the right help for your child.
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Schools & SEND Provision
103
Schools
8
Specialist
10
SEN Unit & Resource Bases
39,746
Total Pupils
6,060 pupils
1,980 pupils
Services & Contacts
Local Offer
Every Local Authority must publish a "Local Offer" - a directory of all SEND services and provision in their area.
View Plymouth's Local OfferIASS
Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.
Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS)
Parent Carer Forum
Plymouth Parent Carers Voice (PCV)
Local parent/carer voice organisation for Plymouth.
SEND Team
Portage
Plymouth Portage Team
Educational Psychology
Plymouth Educational Psychology Service
Occupational Therapy
Plymouth Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Communication Interaction Team / Children's Speech and Language Service
Other Services
Early Help and SEND Advice Line
Plymouth Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund
Preparing for Adulthood / Transition team
Mediation / Disagreement Resolution
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)
Sensory Support Service
Autism Pathway / Autism Assessment
Personal Budgets / Direct Payments
Child Development Centre (CDC)
Personal Budgets
Plymouth Personal Budgets Team
Sensory Support Service (Visual Impairment)
PATSS VI Team
Sensory Support Service (Hearing Impairment)
PATSS Deafness Team
Family Support
Plymouth Family Support
Preparing for Adulthood
Plymouth Transition Team
Parent Shield
Parent Shield
Action on Hearing Loss
Action on Hearing Loss
Mencap
Mencap Helpline
Pluss
Pluss
Early Help Assessment Tool (EHAT)
Carers Direct and Carers UK Support
Wheelchair Service Support
Sleep Support Resources
Potty Training Support
Independent Living Grants
Dyslexia Best Practice Guidance
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Resources
Benefits, Grants and Funding Directory
Family Support Directory
Nurseries and Childcare Directory
Good Health and Wellbeing Directory
Avocados Advocacy
Barnardos Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service
Complaints Service
University Support for Disabled Students
Early Help Assessment Guide
Transition Planning Resources
Critical Incident Response Pack
DSA (Disabled Students Allowances) Information
I-Thrive Model Resources
Neonatal Service Information
Family Fund Mobility Support
Turn2Us Support
Disability Grants for Assistive Technology
CrackerJacks Children's Trust
CHIPS Charity
Children's Hope Foundation
Children's Heart Federation
Children Today
Caudwell Trust
Lifeline4kids
my-afk
The Boparan Charitable Trust
Buttercup Children's Trust
Child Brain Injury Trust
The Elifar Foundation
Fashion and Textile Children's Trust
Florence Nightingale Aid
Independence at Home
Linking Help with Hope
The Matthew Trust
Naval Children's Charity
Newlife Charity
The Nihal Armstrong Trust
Pyramid Educational Trust
Pirate FM Charity Grants
REACT Charity
Sunny Days Children's Fund
Variety, The Children's Charity
BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials
Buttle UK
Catholic Children's Society (Plymouth)
Hits Radio Cash for Kids
Sailors Children's Society
Well Child
Able Kidz
Jessies Fund
The Adamson Trust
Calvert Trust
Happy Days Children's Charity
Honeypot
Merlin's Magic Wand
Sandcastle Trust
Barrie Wells Trust
Dial a Dream
Dreamflight
Dream Makers Children's Charity
Dreams Come True
Rays of Sunshine
Round Table Children's Wish
Starlight
When You Wish Upon a Star
Willow Foundation
CALL South West
Fledglings
Friends and Families
Rompa
Wizzybug
Beckly Sensory Centre
Beckly Centre
Blue Badge Scheme
Transition to Adulthood Support
Person Centred Planning Support
Alternative Provision Support
New EHCPs by Primary Need
Schools
Brook Green Centre for Learning
SpecialNot judgedCann Bridge School
SpecialNot judgedCourtlands School
SpecialInadequateLongcause Community Special School
SpecialWoodlands School
SpecialChapel Bridge School
SpecialMount Tamar School
SpecialInadequateEggbuckland Community College
SecondaryRequires ImprovementEggbuckland Vale Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedGoosewell Primary Academy
PrimaryGoodOreston Community Academy
PrimaryGoodStoke Damerel Community College
SecondaryGoodThornbury Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedUnderstanding school SEND provision
Schools in England provide SEND support at different levels. Here's what each type means:
Specialist School
A school that exclusively educates children with SEND. Smaller classes (typically 6-12 pupils), staff trained in specific needs, and environments designed for children who need more support than mainstream can provide. Places are usually named in an EHCP.
SEN Unit
A dedicated unit within a mainstream school, staffed by specialists. Children are on the roll of the unit but may join mainstream classes for some lessons. Offers a middle ground - specialist support with mainstream social opportunities. Usually requires an EHCP.
Resource Base
Extra resourced provision attached to a mainstream school. Children are on the mainstream roll but can access additional support, equipment, and specialist staff. Some resource bases focus on specific needs like autism or speech and language.
SEN Support (Mainstream)
Every mainstream school has a legal duty to identify and support children with SEND. This includes having a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), providing reasonable adjustments, and putting in place SEN Support plans. You don't need an EHCP for SEN Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from families about SEND support in Plymouth.
Navigating SEND in Plymouth?
JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for EHCP reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.
See How JakTrack Helps
Social Care
Children's Disability Team